Chamber head: Azerbaijan knows where it's heading

Stef Goris, Chairman of the Belgium-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, emphasised Azerbaijan's clear vision to become a regional logistics hub, a centre for energy transition, a leader in high-tech manufacturing, and a key destination for international investment.

"With its geographical advantages, Azerbaijan is uniquely placed to achieve these goals," Caliber.Az quotes Goris as saying per local media.

According to Goris, the Middle Corridor is rapidly becoming a vital alternative to traditional trade routes.

He highlighted the Middle Corridor, a land-based route connecting Europe with Central Asia, China, and the Far East, as a critical pathway for global trade. "This corridor is rapidly becoming the most important alternative to traditional trade routes," he noted during a business event in Brussels.

Goris also pointed out the significance of the corridor amidst current geopolitical uncertainties, disruptions in maritime supply chains, and the global push for regional diversification. "This East-West corridor offers stability, security, and strategic reach, with Azerbaijan at the heart of this process."

For European businesses, and Belgian companies in particular, Goris described the corridor as more than just an opportunity. "It is an invitation to contribute to the development of a new logistical and industrial artery stretching from Antwerp to Almaty, from Liège to Lianyungang," he added.

The Middle Corridor, a transport and logistics route connecting Asia and Europe, runs through several countries in the region. It begins in China, passing through Central Asian nations such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, before crossing the Caspian Sea into Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, and reaching European markets.

This land-based route offers a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional sea-based trade routes, strengthening Azerbaijan's role as a critical player in global logistics.

By Aghakazim Guliyev